Laboratory bench or table

ABSTRACT

A modular laboratory bench apparatus adapted to support one or more storage units under the bench, and comprising: a pair of rigid end frame units; a top bench member having front and rear edges and side edges; front and rear channel bars attached to said top member at said front and rear edges; and connecting means for independently interconnecting each end of said channel bars to its respective adjacent end frame unit at the upper portion thereof.

United States Patent Nightingale et al.

[151 3,650,586 [451' Mar.21, 1972 [54] LABORATORY BENCH OR TABLE [72]lnventors: Paul Leslie Nightingale, 51 Hurlingham Crescent, Don Mills,Ontario; Garnet H. Quigley, 82 Bideford Road, Downsview, Ontario, bothof Canada 22 Filed: Apr.2, 1970 211 Appl.No.: 25,145

[52] U.S.Cl ..3l2/195,312/209,312/lll [51] Int. Cl ..A47b 47/00, A47 b47/04 [58] FieldofSearch ..312/194, 195,209,231, 111,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,824,775 2/1958 Sitler..312/1 11 2,876,046 3/1959 Owen ..108/153 X 2,915,351 12/1959 Shinn..312/195 2,972,506 2/1961 Haag 108/153 2,987,356 6/1961 Simpson, Jr.312/111 3,197,265 7/1965 Rand 312/257 R X 3,327,657 6/1967 Hauville.,...3l2/257 R X 3,346,311 10/1967 Bears ..312/195 3,425,762 2/1969Walls .312/1 1 Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney-George A.Rolston [57] ABSTRACT A modular laboratory bench apparatus adapted tosupport one or more storage units under the bench, and comprising: apair of rigid end frame units; a top bench member having front and rearedges and side edges, front and rear channel bars attached to said topmember at said front and rear edges; and connecting means forindependently interconnecting each end of said channel bars to itsrespective adjacent end frame unit at the upper portion thereof.

11 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures Patented March 21, 1972 3,650,586

2 Sheets-Shoot '1 Inventors PAUL L. NIGH'HNGALE GARNET H. QUIGLEY by:9%; M. M.

Patented March 21, 1972 3,650,586

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventors PAUL L, NlGHTlNGALE GARNET H. QUIGLEYLABORATORY BENCH R TABLE This invention relates to a laboratory benchassembly of prefabricated interchangeable elements.

Benches having a frame structure and mass produced standard cupboard orshelf units of a shape consistent with their function are well known inthe art. The known benches are often assembled and the shelf units arepermanently attached to the bench at the factory because the elementsmust be joined together in such a manner as to obtain the desired amountof stability and rigidity. The bench is then shipped as a unit to thepurchaser. The benches are difficult to handle as they have a greatweight and often two or three men are necessary to move the benchesaround. Also great care must be exercised by the movers when bringingthe benches into a build ing or laboratory. The benches or woodwork areoften scratched and minor repairs must be done to fix the scratches. Ifthe purchaser later decides that different shelf units are desirable hemust purchase a new bench with the desired shelf units and have theother bench moved out or returned to the store to make room for the newbench.

This invention provides a laboratory bench consisting of a supportingframe made up of prefabricated interchangeable elements. This permitsthe bench to be shipped disassembled in boxes which can be easilyhandled by the movers. Also the bench has receiving and locking meansfor any of a number of shelf units which can be shipped easily with thedisassembled bench and secured to the frame at the site. The supportingframe is easily assembled with only a few fasteners necessary to jointhe various elements together to obtain the desired amount of stabilityand rigidity. The shelf units are interchangeable so if the purchaserwishes to substitute new shelf units for the ones he has purchased, hecan do so easily by merely ordering the specific shelf unit he desiresand having it substituted for. the one presently there. Also, if it isdesirable to have leg space beneath the laboratory bench at some timeduring the use ofthe bench. the shelf unit can easily be removed frombeneath the supporting frame and stored until needed.

It is an object of this invention to provide a laboratory benchconsisting of a supporting frame and various simple,

easily assembled storage units adapted to fit rapidly and easily withthe supporting frame.

It is another object of this invention to provide a laboratory benchwhich can be shipped disassembled in boxes which can be handled easily.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a laboratorybench to which additional super structures can be easily attached.

Briefly, laboratory benches constructed according to the presentinvention comprise a supporting frame having a top member, a pair ofrigid end units attachable to the top member and a horizontal supportbar connected between the lower portions of each end unit at the rear ofthe top member. Shelf units are adapted to snugly fit between the endunits and interlock with the elements of the bench. The top member andhorizontal support bar are so constructed that additional superstructures may be attached to the laboratory bench easily providingadditional shelving if desired.

The bench is simple in construction, lightweight, is easily assembledand requires no particular skill to assemble or disassemble.

The foregoing and other advantages will become apparent from thefollowing description ofthe preferred embodiment of the inventionwhichis here given by way of example only with reference to the followingdrawings, in which like reference devices refer to like parts thereofthrough various view and diagrams in which:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a bench module partly in sectionaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view showing a storage unit positioned on a dolly underthe bench;

FIG. 3 is an end view showing the storage unit in position under thebench lifted away from the dolly;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view ofa back leg ofthebench;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the back leg of the benchwith a caster thereon;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a locking meansconnecting the legs of two adjacent benches together;

FIG. 7 is a section view along the line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an upper perspective fragmentary view of-one of the securingmeans on the top of the storage unit;

FIG. 9 is an end view in section showing the securing means connected tothe bench to hold the storage unit attached to the bench;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the bottom portionofa rear leg ofthe bench;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the upper portionof the rear corner of the bench showing how the legs are attached to thetop member of the branch; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the upper frontcorner of the bench showing how the legs are attached to the top memberof the bench.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown a laboratory bench generally indicated as 20. The bench 20 has asupporting frame comprising a top member 21 preferably rectangular inshape with parallel top and bottom walls 22 and 23 (shown in FIG. 9)joined together by two parallel side edges 24 and 25 and two parallelend edges 26 and 27. A rectangular opening 28 is shown in FIG. 1 throughthe top member 21 adjacent the end edge 27. It should be noted that theopeningz28 is optional and not required in all top members 21. The topmember 21 is supported at the four corners by four legs 29 to 32 whichare secured to the top member 21 in a manner to be describedhereinafter.

Horizontal support bars 33 and 34 are welded between the upper and lowerportion of the vertical legs 29 and 32. Horizontal support bars 35 and36 are welded between the upper and lower portions of the vertical legs30 and 31. A horizontal support bar 37 is supported between the lowerportions of the legs 29 and 30, as shown in FIG. 10. Two horizontalchannel members 38 and 39 are attached at the side edges 24 and 25 tothe bottom wall 23 of the top member 21 by suitable securing means. Whenthe bench 20 is assembled, the free ends of the horizontal channelmember 38 are in contact with upper portions of the front vertical legs31 and 32. Also the free ends of the horizontal channel member 39 are incontact with the upper portions of the back vertical legs 29 and 30. Asshown in FIG. 1, the horizontal channel members 38 and 39 areapproximately in the same horizontal plane as the horizontal supportbars 33 and 34.

Two shelf units 40 and 41 are shown in FIG. 1 beneath the top member 21.The shelf unit 40 has two upper drawers 42 and 43 and a bottom portionwith two outwardly swinging doors 44 and 45 which are open from thecenter and are hinged at the outer edges thereof. The shelf unit 41 hasa lower hinged door 46 hinged at one side to allow the door 46 to openpermitting access to the interior ofthe storage unit 41. Each unit 40or4l is built separately and assembled before being brought to the bench20 and attached to the bench 20 in a novel manner which will bedescribed hereinafter. The shelf unit 40 comprises two parallelrectangular side walls 47 and 48 joined at the bottom edges by a bottomwall 49 and at the side edges by a back wall 50. Adjacent thechannelmember 38 and between the upper edges of the sidewalls 47 and 48 is achannel support bar 51 secured therebetween. The front doors 44 and 45of the storage unit 40 are hinged at the side walls 47 and 48respectively to permit the doors to open from the center to gain accessto the interior of the storage unit 40. The shelf units are of such aheight that when the bottom wall 49 of each shelf unit is placed on theupper edge of the lower channel support 37 between the legs 29 and 30,and the back wall 50 of the shelf unit will appear to go beyond theupper channel member 39. The shelf units have a width sufficient topermit the shelf units 40 and 41 to be placed under the top member 21 atthe same time if desired. It should be noted that the two shelf unitsshown in FIG. 1 are not the only shelf units available to be placedunder the bench 20 but for ease of description no other shelf units willbe described.

The legs 29, 30, 31 and 32 are hollow and rectangular or square inshape. The outer surfaces of the upper portion of each leg can bealigned with the respective side and end edges of the corner of the topmember 21 or placed inward therefrom if desired. The opening in thelower portion of each leg receives a rectangular bar 52 havingdimensions to slidably fit within the opening. A plurality of holes 53are drilled in one side edge of the bar 52 which faces inwards towardsthe adjacent lower support bar. Attached to the underside of the supportbars 34 and 36 preferably at the ends adjacent the legs of the bench areU-shaped support members 54 having an L-shaped pin 55 passing throughopenings 56 in the parallel side walls 57. A compressible spring 58 ispositioned between the side walls 57 and attached to the pin 55 suchthat when the pin 55 is drawn in a direction shown by an arrow 59, thespring means 58 is compressed The pin 55 has a diameter which is lessthan the diameter of the holes 53 in the bars 52. The support member 54is positioned in such a manner that the pin 55 will engage one of theholes 53 in the bar 52. The bar 52 thus permits the adjustment of theheight of the legs at the front and back of the top member 21 of thebench 20. The support means 54 is attached to the under surface of thesupport bar 34 in such a manner so that no edge projects past the outerside surface of the support bar 34 preferably. As shown in Fig. 5,levelling feet or casters 60 may be attached to the bottom of the bar 52for ease of movement of the bench 20.

The end of the bench 20 which comprises the outer surfaces of the endunit of the legs 29, 32 and support bars 33 and 34 are preferably in thesame plane as the end edge 26 of the top member 21. This provides asmooth end surface which can be pushed against the other surface of theend unit of an adjacent bench 20. The other end of the bench 20comprises the outer surfaces of the legs and 31 and the support bars and36. The outer surfaces are in the same plane as the end edge 27 of thetop member 21 to present a smooth end surface preferably.

As shown best in FIGS. 6 and 7 the support bar 34 of one bench 20 andthe support bar 36 ofthe next adjacent bench 20 each have aligned holes61 and 62 drilled through their upper walls in the same plane parallelto the central axis. A hole 63 is drilled through the bottom wall of thesupport bar 34 aligned with the upper hole 61 and stem 64 of a .I-shapedpin 65 is passed through the holes 61 and 63. The holes 61 and 62 arepositioned apart the distance of a hook portion 66 of the J- shaped pin65 so that when not used, free end 67 can be placed in the hole 62 asshown in dotted lines in FIG. 6. The pin 65 is threaded at the oppositeend 68 to receive a nut and washer 69 or other fastening means thereon.A compressible spring 70 is placed between the bottom wall of thesupport bar 34 and the nut and washer 69. When the spring 70 iscompressed by a force in a direction shown by an arrow 71, the free end67 will be free of the hole 62 and the pin 65 may be turned in anydirection. The top wall of the support bars 34 and 36 will have a widthsufficient to permit the free end 67 to enter the hole 61 in the supportbar 36 when adjacent benches 20 are aligned to secure the adjacentbenches together as shown in solid lines in FIG. 6. It should be notedthat it is possible to align the holes 62 of the bar 36 with the hole 62of the bar 34 to permit the pin 65 associated with the bar 36 to beconnected to the bar 34.

As shown best in FIG. 10, the support channel 37 is channel-shaped withparallel side walls 72, 72a, and 72b. The walls 72 and 72a are joined atone end by a vertical wall 73 and the walls 720 and 72b are joined by avertical wall 730 The vertical walls 73 and 73a are parallel and arejoined to side wall 72a to form a support step for reasons which will beexplained hereinafter. The free ends of the side walls 72 and 72b haveinwardly directed retaining flanges 74 and 75 spaced apart by a slot 76.The ends 77 of the bar 37 are fitted on pins 78 secured to the lowersupport bars 34 and 36. The pin 78 is rectangular in shape and fitssnugly between the inner surface of the side walls 72 and 72a and hasholes 79 therethrough in an upper surface, and if desired a hole 80in aside surface of the pin 52.

Holes 81 are drilled in the side Walls 72 and 72a of the bars 37 to bealigned with the holes 79 in the pin 78. Also a hole 82 is drilled inthe vertical wall 73 of the bar 37 to be aligned with the hole in thepin 78. The hole 81 and 82 have been countersunk to receive flat headedscrews 83 respectively in such a manner that the side walls 72a and 73present a smooth surface with no protruding parts therefrom. The screws83 are passed through the walls of the bar 37 and through the pin 78 asshown in FIG. 10 and are engaged at their free ends by washers 84 andnuts 85. The horizontal screw 83 also has a nut (not shown) within thebar 37 which fits on the free end to secure the bar 37 from lateralmovement. The other end 77 of the support bar 37 is attached to the leg30 and the support bar 36 in a similar manner.

The support bar 33 connected between the upper portion of the legs 29and 32 is channelshaped with parallel side walls 86 and 87 joined at oneend by a base 88. The other end has retaining flanges 89 and 90 whichare directed inwards towards one another from the side walls 86 and 87of the support bar 33 forming an opening 91 therebetween which has awidth sufficient to receive the diameter ofa threaded portion 92 ofabolt 93. Between the base 88 of the support bar 33 and the retainingflanges 89 and 90 are positioned spring means 94 acting against a nut 95with a threaded hole 96 therein to receive the threaded portion 92 ofthe bolt 93. The support bar 35 and channel members 38 and 39 haveidentical parts to bar 33.

The channel members 38 and 39 are shorter than the side edges .24 and 25of the top member 21 to permit the support bars 33 and 35 to bepositioned beneath the top member 21 and have their outer edges in thesame plane as the end edges 26 and 27 of the top member 21. Channelmember 38 faces inwards as shown in FIGS. 1 and 12' with the base 88adjacent the side edge 24. Channel member 39 faces outward as shown inFIG. 11 with retaining flanges 89 to 90 in the same plane as the sideedge 25. A triangular connecting means 97 is secured to the top member21 and the channel member 39. The connecting means 97 is used to connectthe support bars 33 and 35 to the top member 21 at the rear corners.Side walls 98 and 99 extend outwards from and are perpendicular to theplane of the connecting means 97 in such a manner that theside walls 98and 99 join together at the apex 100 of the triangular connecting means97. The side wall 98 is butt-welded at two locations to the base 88 ofthe channel member 39 and two holes 101 are drilled through the sidewall 99 to permit two bolts 93 to be passed therethrough to engage thethreaded nuts 95. The triangular connecting means 97 preferably issecured to the top member 21 by screws (not shown). Spaced in from theend edges 26 and 27 the width of the side wall 86 of the bars 33 and 35at the front corners of the top member 21, are a pair of triangularconnecting means 97. The side walls 98 and 99 both have a pair of holes101 drilled therethrough. The side walls 98 and 99 are not joined at theapex 100 and each side wall has outwardly turned lugs 102 formed thereonwhich fit in the opening 91 of the channel member 38 and support bars 33and 35. Bolts 93 are passed through the hole 101 and through thethreaded hole 96 in the plate 95 which is held in position by the springmeans 94. It should be noted that other forms of fastening means couldbe used here, such as butt welding the side wall 97 to the flanges 89and 90 of the channel 33 to obtain the desired stability and rigidityfor the benches. At the other end 27 of the top member 21, the legs 30and 31 are connected to the top member 21 in the same manner asdescribed above with the triangular connecting means 97.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the front portion of each storage unit40 or 41 has two U-shaped members 103 affixed to support bar 51 adjacenteach end near the sidewalls 47 and 48. An L-shaped slide lock bolt 104passes through holes 105 in the side walls 106 of the support member103. A securing pin 107 traverses the bolt 104 near the rear side wall106 to prevent the bolts 104 from coming out of the holes 105. The bolt104 has a diameter sufficient to permit the bolt 104 to be inserted inthe opening 91 between the retaining flanges 89 and 90 of the channelmember 38 connected to the bottom surface 23 of the top member 21 toengage the unit to the bench 20. Connected to the supp ort bar 51adjacent each slide lock bolt 104 is a U-shaped member 108 with parallelside walls 109 joined by a base 110. A diverging surface 111 facingoutwards towards the door of the unit extends upwards and inwards from apoint just above the base 110 to the top of the side wall 109. TheU-shaped member 108 is positioned to engage the lower side wall 87 ofthe channel member 38 as will be described hereinafter.

A four wheel dolly 112 is used to position the storage units 40 and 41under the bench 20. The four wheel dolly 112 has an upper portion shapedto receive the front end of the storage unit 40 or 41 therein. The dolly112 has a handle 113 which is pivotally supported at its lower end andhas an extension arm 114 which is positioned to lie under the frontportion of the storage units 40 or 41.

The use and operation of the invention are as follows; the purchaser ofthe bench has a selection of the different styles of shelf units 40 or41 to go with the bench 20. The supplier ships the support framedisassembled to the buyer. The top member 21 has horizontal channel bars38 and 39 and the triangular connecting means 88 attached to the bottomwall. This unit being generally rectangular in shape, is shipped in itsown container. Also each end unit consisting of the vertical legs andthe horizontal support bars can be shipped in single containers or bothin one container. Also, the shelf units are rectangular in shape and canbe placed in their own containers. The horizontal support bar 37 can beinserted in the same container as the top member 21. The fastening meansrequired in assembling the bench 20 can be placed in one of thecontainers where they can be easily found. Thus, the disassembled bench20 can be packed and shipped without too much difficulty.

Each end unit comprises two vertical legs 29 and 32 or 30 and 31 withthe support bars 33 and 34 or 35 and 36 welded to the adjacent legs. Theheight adjusting bar 52 may be posi' tioned in the bottom end of eachhollow leg to complete the end unit. Upon receipt, the buyer removes thedisassembled bench 20 from the containers and attaches the horizontalsupport bar 37 onto pins 78 attached to each end unit. The apertures 81on the side wall 720 are aligned with the apertures79 in the pin 78 andthe flat head screws or bolts 83 are passed through the alignedapertures and the washers 84 and the nut 85 are positioned on the otherend of the bolts. Then the bolts 83 are tightened to secure thehorizontal support bar 76 to the pins 78. The wall 720 should preferablybe free of any obstructions thereon.

With the horizontal support bar 37 secured to the two end units, theframe is now ready to receive the top member 21. Before the top member21 is placed on the top of the end units, it may be desirable to adjustthe height of the legs. The pin is drawn in the direction shown by thearrow 59 to permit the rectangular bar 52 to be inserted in the hollowleg. The holes 53 are aligned with the pin 55 and the pin 55 is releasedand the spring 58 forces the free end of the pin 55 into the holes 53 toset the height of the legs. Also, the aperture 82 in the vertical wall73 of the support bar 37 is aligned with the aperture 80 in the supportpin 78 and the screw 83 is passed therethrough and secured by a nut 85.

The top member 21 has the channel members 38 and 39 and triangularconnecting means 97 attached to the bottom wall 23, by proper securingmeans. As shown in FIG. 11, the

triangular connecting means 97 may be butt welded to the channel member39 at each end for ease of alignment of the end units with the topmember 21. When the top member 21 is placed on the end units, the steelnuts 95 positioned against the flanges 89 and 90 in the support bars 33and 35 are aligned with the holes 101 in the side wall 99. The springs94 hold the nuts 95 in the desired location. Then the bolts 93 arescrewed into the nuts 95 to secure the top member 21 to the end units atthe rear. At the front corners, the connecting member 97 is placed intoposition by the buyer and the lugs 102 are fitted into the openings 91on the support bar 33 and channel member 38, and again the holes 101 arealigned with the threaded holes 96 in the spring loaded nuts on thesupport bar 33 and the channel member 38. Then the screws 93 are screwedinto the nuts 95 to secure the channel member 38 and the front end ofthe top member 21 to the end units. The assembled bench 20 is now readyfor use. If the purchaser selected bench 20 with the top member 21having the opening 28 therethrough, he may desire to connect in a sink(not shown) in the opening 28.

The assembled bench 20 has open leg space beneath the top member 21 andif desired, preassembled shelf units 40 and 41 may be inserted in theopen leg space beneath the bench 20. The shelf unit is placed on theupper portion of the dolly 102 and the dolly is pushed beneath the topmember 21 until the back wall 50 of the unit makes contact with thevertical wall 73a of the horizontal bar 37. The bottom wall 39 rests onthe side wall 72a. The operator then moves the handle 113 in a directionshown by the arrow in FIG. 2 and raises the front portion of the shelfunit into position by the extension portion 114 of the handle 113. Theback wall 50 of the unit 40 hits against the vertical wall 73a and restson the side wall 72a of the channel member 37. The operator then opensthe doors 44 and 45 of the unit 40 to gain access to the interior of theshelf unit and pushes the bolts 104 forward to engage in the opening 91of the channel member 38 to secure the upper front portion of the shelfunit to the top member 21. The dolly 112 is then removed and if desired,the other shelf unit 41 can be inserted in the open leg space left underthe top member 21 by the same procedure as stated hereinabove.

It will, of course, be appreciated and is clearly shown in the drawings,that the shelf or other form of rectangular storage units 40, 41 etc.,are constructed according to modular dimensions, adapted to fit inpredetermined spacings defined beneath the bench 20. Thus the modulesmay be made up to provide for the location of three such shelf orstorage units, or more or less if desired, although three such units asshown in FIG. 1 is found to provide a pleasing appearance, and isgenerally to be preferred. It will, of course, be understood that inorder for such storage or shelf units to be moved about and supported onthe dolly 112, and to be raised into position by the operation of thelever member 114, that the height dimensions of the storage units mustbe such that, when raised into and fastened in position, underneath thebench 20, they define a predetermined spacing above the floor so as topermit the dolly 112 to be wheeled in and out. For the same reasons, itwill be noted that the spacing defined beneath the bench 20, at least atthe front of the bench 20, is completely open between the two side legs31 and 32 so as to permit the dolly 112 to be wheeled in and out freelywithout obstruction.

Furthermore, while the preferred form of the invention, as describedabove; envisages the supporting of the storage unit, by means of therearward support rail 72, and the forward support bar 51, it will beappreciated that other forms of attachment or suspension of the storageunits beneath the bench 20, may be employed without departing from thescope of the invention. Thus, for example, the storage units could besupported entirely from above, or supported entirely from behind, theonly restriction being that access to the space beneath each of thestorage units should remain at all times free for the dolly 112 to bewheeled in and out.

It may be desirable to have some super structure attached to the bench20, such as shelves above the top wall 22 of the top member 21. Verticalsupport bars (shown in dotted lines in HO. 1) can be attached bysuitable securing means (not shown) to the channel member 39 and] thehorizontal support bar 37. Shelves (not shown) or some other superstructure, can then be attached to the vertical support bars.

It should be noted that the end units described in this application havetwo vertical legs joined together by two spaced apart horizontal supportbars. 11'' the laboratory bench 20 is to be placed against a wall or thelike with a vertical flat surface,

it is possible to remove the rear legs and the lower support bars of theend units, The horizontal support bars 37 are then secured to thevertical wall.

While a preferred, specific embodiment of the invention has beenhereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that theinvention is not to be limited to the exact construction dimensions anddesigns illustrated and described, because various modifications ofthese details may be provided in putting the invention into practicewithin the purview of the apended claims.

We claim:

1. A modular laboratory bench supporting one or more storage units suchas shelving units, cupboard units and the like, beneath the bench, andraised above the floor, so as to permit such storage units to be readilymoved in and out, on any suitable wheeled support means, and comprising:

a substantially flat rectangular bench top panel, having fron and rearedges and side edges;

side support members, fastened along each of said side edges of said toppanel, and extending downwardly therefrom normal thereto and adapted tosupport said top panel at a predetermined height above the floor anddefining a predetermined modular spacing therebetween for reception ofone or more of said storage units;

at least one modular storage unit of rectangular shape having sides, aback, a front, and a bottom panel, said cabinet being dimensioned to fitbeneath said bench, and when in position, defining an access spacebeneath said bottom panel ofsaid storage unit and the floor;

storage cabinet support means located beneath said top panel ofsaidbench; and

storage unit attachment means including releasable bolt means attachedto the top of said storage unit, and oriented and adapted to interengagewith said storage unit support bar means on said bench, whereby tosupport said storage unit in predetermined position relative to saidbench and spaced above the floor upon which said bench is standing.

2. A laboratory bench as claimed in claim 1, including:

a pair of rigid end frame units forming part of said side supportmembers;

front and rear channel bars attached to said top panel at said front andrear edges; and

connecting means for independently interconnecting each end of saidchannel bars to its respective adjacent end frame unit at the upperportion thereof.

3. A laboratory bench as claimed in claim 2, wherein said end frameunits comprise vertical front and rear legs and horizontal supportmembers rigidly interconnected between upper and lower portions of saidlegs,

4. A laboratory bench as claimed in claim 2, including verticallyadjustable means in said support members adapted to permit heightadjustment of said top panel; and lock means associated with each ofsaidvertically adjustable means.

5. A laboratory bench as described in claim 1 including a horizontalsupport bar connected between lower portions of said side supportmembers below said rear edge of said top panel.

6. A laboratory bench as described in claim 5, wherein said storagecabinet support means includes rectangular storage unit support ledgemeans extending along said horizontal support bar; and

support bar means extending along said front edge of said top panel forsecuring said storage unit to said bench.

7. The laboratory bench as claimed in claim 1, including handle meansfor operation of said releasable bolt accessible within said storageunit.

8. The laboratory bench as claimed in claim 7, including guide meansattached to the top of said storage unit adjacent said bolt means beingofgenerally wedge-shaped construction, being oriented and dimensioned toengage said front channel bar with a wedging action and force saidstorage unit into its most rearward position beneath said bench. I

9. The laboratory bench as claimed in claim 7, wherein said storage unitis of generally boxlike construction having an open top, access meansarranged at the front of said storage unit, and transverse support barmeans extending from side to side of said storage unit adjacent thefront thereof, partially closing a portion of said open top, said boltmeans being attached thereto.

10. The laboratory bench as claimed in claim 7, wherein said rearhorizontal support bar consists of a hollow channel member, a steppedportion formed in one side of said channel member to define said supportledge means and an open mouth on said channel member oriented rearwardlyof said bench.

11. The laboratory bench as claimed in claim 7, wherein said rearchannel bar member consists of a hollow channel member having an openmouth oriented rearwardly of said bench, said rear channel bar, and saidhorizontal .support member together providing spaced apart upper andlower attachment means for erection of a supporting framework thereon atthe rear of said bench.

1. A modular laboratory bench supporting one or more storage units suchas shelving units, cupboard units and the like, beneath the bench, andraised above the floor, so as to permit such storage units to be readilymoved in and out, on any suitable wheeled support means, and comprising:a substantiallY flat rectangular bench top panel, having front and rearedges and side edges; side support members, fastened along each of saidside edges of said top panel, and extending downwardly therefrom normalthereto and adapted to support said top panel at a predetermined heightabove the floor and defining a predetermined modular spacingtherebetween for reception of one or more of said storage units; atleast one modular storage unit of rectangular shape having sides, aback, a front, and a bottom panel, said cabinet being dimensioned to fitbeneath said bench, and when in position, defining an access spacebeneath said bottom panel of said storage unit and the floor; storagecabinet support means located beneath said top panel of said bench; andstorage unit attachment means including releasable bolt means attachedto the top of said storage unit, and oriented and adapted to interengagewith said storage unit support bar means on said bench, whereby tosupport said storage unit in predetermined position relative to saidbench and spaced above the floor upon which said bench is standing.
 2. Alaboratory bench as claimed in claim 1, including: a pair of rigid endframe units forming part of said side support members; front and rearchannel bars attached to said top panel at said front and rear edges;and connecting means for independently interconnecting each end of saidchannel bars to its respective adjacent end frame unit at the upperportion thereof.
 3. A laboratory bench as claimed in claim 2, whereinsaid end frame units comprise vertical front and rear legs andhorizontal support members rigidly interconnected between upper andlower portions of said legs.
 4. A laboratory bench as claimed in claim2, including vertically adjustable means in said support members adaptedto permit height adjustment of said top panel; and lock means associatedwith each of said vertically adjustable means.
 5. A laboratory bench asdescribed in claim 1 including a horizontal support bar connectedbetween lower portions of said side support members below said rear edgeof said top panel.
 6. A laboratory bench as described in claim 5,wherein said storage cabinet support means includes rectangular storageunit support ledge means extending along said horizontal support bar;and support bar means extending along said front edge of said top panelfor securing said storage unit to said bench.
 7. The laboratory bench asclaimed in claim 1, including handle means for operation of saidreleasable bolt accessible within said storage unit.
 8. The laboratorybench as claimed in claim 7, including guide means attached to the topof said storage unit adjacent said bolt means being of generallywedge-shaped construction, being oriented and dimensioned to engage saidfront channel bar with a wedging action and force said storage unit intoits most rearward position beneath said bench.
 9. The laboratory benchas claimed in claim 7, wherein said storage unit is of generally boxlikeconstruction having an open top, access means arranged at the front ofsaid storage unit, and transverse support bar means extending from sideto side of said storage unit adjacent the front thereof, partiallyclosing a portion of said open top, said bolt means being attachedthereto.
 10. The laboratory bench as claimed in claim 7, wherein saidrear horizontal support bar consists of a hollow channel member, astepped portion formed in one side of said channel member to define saidsupport ledge means and an open mouth on said channel member orientedrearwardly of said bench.
 11. The laboratory bench as claimed in claim7, wherein said rear channel bar member consists of a hollow channelmember having an open mouth oriented rearwardly of said bench, said rearchannel bar, and said horizontal support member together providingspaced apart upper and lower attachment means for erection of asupporting framework thereon at the rear of said bench.